Fayyaz pledges to repeal laws restricting media freedom

MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail has pledged that a future MDP government will repeal any laws introduced by the current administration that restrict freedom of expression or target journalists and the media.

Fayyaz made the statement on Sunday in response to remarks by President Mohamed Muizzu during National Day celebrations in HA. Utheemu. The President had said that freedom of expression must be exercised within limits and with consideration for the rights of others.

In a post on X, Fayyaz said politicians should protect their reputations through service rather than by restricting free speech. He argued that attempts to limit political criticism in the name of preserving nationalism and reputation mirrored the actions of authoritarian leaders.

“Cruel liars will shut down journalists and newspapers that talk about their wrongdoing and theft and deprive the people of their freedom,” Fayyaz wrote.

He added that any laws passed by the current government to undermine press freedom would be repealed under the next MDP administration. Fayyaz also noted that similar measures had been attempted in the past but had failed.

A bill currently before Parliament seeks to give the government greater control over the media. Journalists, the Maldives Media Council, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have all called for the bill to be withdrawn.